Journalist jailed for libeling fellow journalist

A journalist has been sentenced to three months in jail by a court in the Dominican Republic for libeling another journalist.

Melton Pineda, speaking on a radio programme, accused journalist Marino Zapete, who was acting as a spokesman for the national police, as knowing about and covering up crimes allegedly committed by a police captain.

Zapete sought to have Pineda jailed for six months in prison and fined the equivalent of £780,000. The judge decided on a three-month sentence and a fine of £630. However, Pineda was ordered to pay the £780,000 to Zapete in civil damages. He is to appeal.

Both men are members of the Dominican Journalists Union, which tried unsuccessfully to mediate between them.

The International Press Institute deputy director, Anthony Mills, said: "IPI rejects the use of criminal penalties for defamation ... Civil suits are the sole appropriate avenue for resolving libel claims, as long as damages are proportionate to the harm done and are aimed at restoring reputation rather than silencing journalists or media outlets."